Materials / Compare
Aluminum vs. Brass C360
Compare Aluminum vs. Brass C360 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.
| Try it on a partA bracket to run stress or thermal on, free in your browser | Open in LessCAD | Open in LessCAD |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical | ||
| Yield strength | 276MPasourcetypical, 0.2% offset, .500 in dia specimen | 310MPasourcetypical, 0.5% extension under load |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 310MPasourcetypical | 400MPasourcetypical29% stronger |
| Elongation at break | 17%sourcetypical, in 4D, 0.500 in dia specimen | 25%sourcetypical, 1 in. rod |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 68.3GPasourcetypical | 96.5GPasourcetypical, temper-independent |
| Density | 2,700kg/m³sourcenominal3.15x lighter | 8,498kg/m³sourcenominal |
| Strength to weight | 102kN·m/kg2.8x higher | 36.5kN·m/kg |
| Stiffness to weight | 25.3MN·m/kg2.23x higher | 11.4MN·m/kg |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant) | 0.34sourcebase material: leaded free-machining brass CuZn39Pb2 (C37700), Wieland-Z30 rolled products, reference value at room temperature |
| Shear modulus | 25.7GPa | 36GPa40% stiffer in shear |
| Bulk modulus | 67GPa | 101GPa |
| Speed of sound | 5,030m/s | 3,370m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 167W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C44% more heat through a fin | 116W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C |
| Thermal expansion | 23.6µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C | 20.5µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-300 °C |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 118µm growth | 103µm growth15% less |
| Specific heat | 896J/kg·Ksourcetypical, at 100 °C | 377J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 69mm²/s1.91x faster | 36.2mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 19,159W/m1.6x more resistant | 11,997W/m |
| Melting point | 582–652°Csourcesolidus-liquidus | 888–899°Csourcesolidus-liquidus |
| Values for | 6061-T6/T651, Kaiser Aluminum typical properties (sheet, coil & plate datasheet); Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J | C36000 free-cutting brass, H02 half-hard rod 1 in. section (20% cold work), copper.org typical values |
Every value links to the document that states it. "Not sourced" means no citable source states it (or only a specification minimum); figures computed from it are left out too.
Questions
Is Aluminum stronger than Brass C360?
Brass C360 is stronger: its yield strength is 310 MPa against 276 MPa for Aluminum (12%).
Which is lighter, Aluminum or Brass C360?
Aluminum is lighter: 2,700 kg/m³ against 8,498 kg/m³ for Brass C360.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum or Brass C360?
Brass C360 is stiffer: Young's modulus 96.5 GPa against 68.3 GPa for Aluminum, so the same part in Brass C360 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum or Brass C360?
For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
| Part that must be | Aluminum | Brass C360 |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | lighter | 2.23x heavier |
| Stiff beam (bending) | lighter | 2.65x heavier |
| Stiff panel or plate | lighter | 2.8x heavier |
| Strong rod or tie | lighter | 2.8x heavier |
| Strong beam | lighter | 2.91x heavier |
| Strong panel or plate | lighter | 2.97x heavier |
For the same stiffness or strength, mass scales with density over stiffness (or strength) raised to a power set by how the part is loaded: 1 for a rod in tension, 1/2 for a beam in bending, 1/3 for a panel (the standard material-selection indices).
Which conducts heat better, Aluminum or Brass C360?
Aluminum conducts heat better: 167 W/m·K against 116 W/m·K for Brass C360.
Which expands less with temperature?
Brass C360 expands less: 20.5 µm/m·K against 23.6 µm/m·K for Aluminum.